Apical ligament

Apical ligament - Definition

It is a small ligament that belongs to the group of vertebral ligaments in the body. It is also referred to as the "Apical ligament of dens."

Apical ligament - Anatomy

It is small in shape and is surrounded by fatty tissue. It starts as a narrow band on the dens and spreads out to a wider ligamentous sheet located between the two alar ligaments on the occipital bone.

Apical ligament - Location

It extends to the anterior margin of the foramen magnum of the occipital bone from the apex of the dens.

Apical ligament - Function

It helps in making the head rest in a stable manner on the vertebral column.

Apical ligament - Pictures

The images here represent the location and appearance of this structure.